Results 11-20:

Has been lonely since Louise's visit. Tried to bribe
James to leave them alone. Spent a few days at
uncle's home near other families from Virginia. Aunt hosted a "literary" at which a truly atrocious singer did twelve songs.
Climbed the windmill in the evening and enjoyed the sight of moonlight glistening on ponds and
corn tassels. Had to pull off skirts to climb down when a storm approached. Roscoe away haying, but when he gets back they will go up the
river to their island. Baby brother Jack has
been ill. Please greet a certain blonde [Louise?] if she sees her. Drove her about the countryside with one hand or
none, but she didn't object. Still dreams about it. Don't read that part to Ned
[Ellen] and Frances.
Cather
[Stout
#15]

Children were all dressed up for her homecoming. Is reading Virgil and botanizing. Mr. Wiener
now boarding at Mrs. Garber's. Thanks for being
mainstay during past winter and spring, when she [Cather] was
despairing over the loss of what she had lived for. Appreciates her patience these past years
while she raved over a certain girl's beauty, charm, and talent; rhapsodized over merely
touching that person's hand; and suffered through the loss of love. Loving too much is a
mistake. Hopes they can meet in Crete [Nebr.]
Douglass may come, too.
Willa
[Stout
#17]

Is sending clipping from the Auburn
Granger, so scathing she may never be able to go to Brownsville again. Pictures were excellent, especially
those of the Episcopal church after they piled the prayer benches into the aisle. Such fun!
School grind starting again soon. Will be in Lincoln about September 20.
Willa Cather
[Stout
#18]

Enjoyed visiting Katharine and her
brother, who is more charming than ever.
Quoted Ella Wheeler Wilcox to each other.
Attended New Year's dance with Douglass—a
rustic event. Could Mariel retrieve her [Cather's] copy of Daudet'sSapho from Sarah Harris? Doesn't know when she will be back in
Lincoln. Here in the country might as well
be dead. Is indifferent to everything, even suicide.
Willa
[Stout
#21]

Feels exiled. Why doesn't Mariel write? Cooks
sometimes to relieve boredom. Rides bicycle when weather permits. Planned and orchestrated a
wedding breakfast for her [Cather's]
cousin and Hugh Miner. Looked after the children
the previous week while parents went to Hastings. Enjoys playing cards and going visiting
with Douglass and Roscoe, when he comes to town. Has been reading Arabian Nights and Alice in Wonderland to James.
Willa
[Stout
#22]

Enclosing a letter to Professor Adams. Has been to
see Regent Kaley, who says decision on new
instructor to replace Professor Bates rests
with regents and chancellor. Please speak to them about it. Is confident she can stay in the
job if she gets temporary appointment. Age and sex are against her, but would take it at lower
rank and less pay than a man.
Willa Cather
[Stout
#23]

Appreciates her help getting through scrapes during years at the university. Now another one.
Keeps making a fool of herself! Keeps trying on personas (the scholarly, the bohemian)! Would
consider suicide but knows her stupidities spring from liking someone too well. People always
watching her, waiting for her to do something unusual. Feels superficial and useless where she
is. Little brother Jack is the one consolation.
Has been to a dance with Douglass and actually
enjoyed it. Miner girls there. Met a Miss [Anna] Gayhardt and talked all night. Can't talk like this to Katharine [Weston],
of course. Hopes to get up to Lincoln soon.
Professor Bates very happy in his new job.
Willa
[Stout
#24]

Has been in this grimy city only a few hours. Began feeling happier when she got east of
Chicago and started seeing hills and clear
streams and trees. Conductor asked if she was going home. Was met by Mr. Axtell. For now, is staying at the Axtells' gloomy house, where the only ornament is a drawing of
someone's grandfather. At least their library has some novels (tame ones), and Mrs. Axtell has Harper's magazine. Using daughter's room
while she is away; room has three Bibles and an E. P. Roe
novel.
Willa
[Stout
#25]

Letter ID: 0026

Addressee: Gere, Mariel Clapham

Date: 1896-07-13

Repository: Willa Cather Pioneer Memorial and Educational Foundation

To Mrs. Charles Gere,
July 13, [1896] from Pittsburgh
; WCPM

Why don't the girls write? Is lonely, not during work days but at night. Has her own stenographer
and entire responsibility for the first issue, even overseeing layout. Is arranging for
material for September issue [of Home Monthly]. Wants to do article on Mrs. William Jennings Bryan and Mrs. William McKinley. Please help get personal
details about Mrs. Bryan. Magazine not much as
literature, but hopes to make a success of it. Is behaving.
Willa
[Stout
#26]

Letter ID: 0027

Addressee: Gere, Ellen (Ned)

Date: 1896-07-27

Repository: Willa Cather Pioneer Memorial and Educational Foundation

To Ned [Ellen]
Gere,
Monday [c. July 27,
1896] from Pittsburgh
; WCPM

Presbyterian Axtells not so stern as first
thought, but not much fun. Their social life limited to fellow church members! Summoned the
Baptist minister from next door as soon as they learned the Cathers were Baptists. Has been to an organ recital at Carnegie
music hall, which shares a building with library and art museum; theater next door. Between
going to church and pretending to know Wild West stories, is losing all standards of truth.
Magazine is dull stuff, but is
practically the managing editor, with her own desk.
Willa
[Stout
#27]